The pride was clear in Jurgen Klopp\u2019s grin as he celebrated an unlikely Liverpool triumph in Sunday\u2019s Carabao Cup final. Everything was in Chelsea\u2019s favour to get the job done, yet it was \u201cKlopp\u2019s Kids,\u201d as they have been widely dubbed, that ended up with their hands on the trophy on the famous Wembley steps.<\/p>\n
Sunday demonstrated what Liverpool will lose when Klopp leaves the club at the end of the season. The German has imposed a style of play over a number of years that made the Reds one of the most entertaining teams to watch anywhere in Europe, but Klopp\u2019s real impact came in the way he changed the spirit of the Anfield club.<\/p>\n
No other manager in the sport could have pulled off what Klopp did on Sunday. Not even Pep Guardiola could have kept Manchester City competitive in a cup final against a high calibre opponent with no fewer than 11 key players sidelined through injury. Klopp is a master of controlling the intangibles.<\/p>\n
Every youngster who featured for Liverpool against Chelsea knew what was expected of them in the side. Klopp might have been forced to reshuffle his pack more than once, but the structure of his team always stayed in place. It was around this structure that the likes of Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark, Jarell Quansah, Jayden Danns and James McConnell flourished.<\/p>\n
Klopp also instilled the winning mentality that gave Liverpool the belief to pull off something so improbable. The Reds have been labelled \u201cmentality monsters\u201d in the past and that clearly seeped into the mindset within the club\u2019s academy. Every youngster who featured at Wembley was ready for the challenge and occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn more than 20 years it is easily the most special trophy I have ever won,\u201d said Klopp after the Carabao Cup final which saw Virgil van Dijk net an 118th-minute winner against Chelsea. \u201cIt is absolutely exceptional. Sometimes people ask me if I\u2019m proud of things and it\u2019s really tricky, I wish I could feel pride more often.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut tonight is an overwhelming \u00adfeeling. I was proud of everyone involved in everything here, I was proud of our people for the way they pushed us, I was proud of the staff for creating this kind of atmosphere where these boys can just do what they are best at. I was proud of our academy, I was proud of my coaches, I was proud of so many things.\u201d<\/p>\n